Airstream or Argosy??

[spinster]

Hi, I am waiting to hear from the owner of a unit I have had my eye on for a while. Today I finally got the photos of it and did some checking on my own - the front and rear have the Airstream logo - but the tag on the winshield says 1976 Argosy. It has a rear bath and front and side couches. Can anyone help me ID this little baby...I'm hoping to make it mine either way. But I'd like to know more about what to ask, etc. Thanks.

[85MH325]

From the little I have heard, I believe that the first year for the actual 'Airstream' name to be on a motorhome was '79. The Argosy and Airstreams were both produced that year. I'm not sure whether there was any difference at all other than the Argosy being painted and the Airstream left in aluminum. I'm not sure whether there is any difference in the end caps as there are in the Argosy trailers. The Airstream motorhomes were more differentiated later.

Roger

[ViewRVs]

The fact that the door has no window strongly suggests that it is a painted Argosy. Most (but not all) Airstream branded MH's had windows in the door.

The clincher would be for you to take a magnet with you when you go see it. The Argosy units have galvanized steel front and rear caps. The Airstream units are all aluminum.

The 1976 units have two round headlights. The 1977 and later units have the 4 square headlights. My strong hunch is that it is a painted 1977-1979 Argosy. Brett won't be in Tampa until Sunday so you have until then to close the deal. He is collecting Argosy MH's!

[spinster]

I still haven't heard back from the owner...not a good sign. But I'll keep trying. I'll defintely bring a magnet with me next visit as suggested - and the peeling paint on the upper rear does lead me to believe it's painted Argosy with Airstream logos. The interior and exterior do seem to be in great shape. Now to just learn more about the systems inside! In preparation I'm reading every thread about restorations etc. Great information for me as an Airstream lover even if I don't end up as the new owner.